Types of Maps

There are several types of maps. Each show different information.

Climate Maps: give general information about the climate and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region. Cartographers (or mapmakers) use colours to show different climate or precipitation (rainfall) zones.

Activities1. Which states and territories have:

a) Temperate zones?b) Equatorial zones?c) Desert zones?

2. List these zones in the order of size from largest to smallest.3. In what zone are the following locations:

a) Rockhampton?b) Perth?c) Brisbane?d) Darwin?e) Cairns?

4. Thanks to this map, what observations can be made about the location and distribution of:

a) Deserts?b) Temperate zones? c) Tropical zones?

5. Explain why a map like this would be helpful to geographers.

Economic or resource maps: feature the type of natural resources or economic activity that dominates an area. Cartographers use symbols to show the locations of natural resources or economic activities.

Activities1. List the states and territories in order from

most lead mining sites to fewest lead mining sites.

2. What observations can be made about the frequency and distribution of lead mining thanks to this map?

3. Explain why a map like this would be helpful to geographers.

Physical maps: illustrate the physical features of an area, such as the mountains, rivers and lakes. The water is usually shown in blue. Colours are used to show relief (differences in land elevations). Green is typically used at lower elevations, and orange or brown indicate higher elevations.

Activities1. What observations can be made about the

frequency and distribution of mountains thanks to this map?

2. Why is the water closest to the coast of Australia a lighter shade of blue?

3. Explain why a map like this would be helpful to geographers.

Topographic maps: include contour lines to show the shape and elevation of an area. Lines that are close together indicate steep terrain, and lines that are far apart indicate flat terrain. Are similar in purpose to relief maps but provide more detail

Activities1. In what ways is a topographic map of more benefit

to a geographer than a relief map?

Political maps: do not show physical features. Instead, they indicate state and national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle.

Activities1. List each of the states and territories and

their respective capital cities.2. What observations can be made about the

location of capital cities thanks to this map?

3. Explain why a map like this would be helpful to geographers.

Road maps: show major—some minor highways—and roads, airports, railroad tracks, cities and other points of interest in an area. People use road maps to plan trips and for driving directions.

Activities1. What observations can be made about

the location and distribution of major highways (marked in red)?

2. Explain why a map like this would be helpful to geographers.

Features of a Map

Maps need should have the following things:

•Border

•Orientation

• Legend

• Title

• Scale

What are the features of maps?

Border

What are the features of maps?

Orientation: Shows direction on a map

What are the features of maps?

Legend: Explains the symbols used to represent features or objects

What are the features of maps?

Title: Names the place a map is representing

What are the features of maps?

Scale: The relationship between a unit of length on a map and the corresponding length over ground